The Hunger for Beauty.

Beauty is an ecstasy; it is as simple as hunger. There is really nothing to be said about it. It is like the perfume of a rose: you can smell it and that is all.
-W. Somerset Maugham-

I came across that quote & the photo of Nina Leen today within ten minutes of each other & I thought they deserved to be together.

I've been obsessed with We Heart It lately so, my mind has been enundated with lovely images for the past couple of weeks so, you can expect more eye candy in this blog's near future

Via

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Princess Grace- The Last Interview.

I've just spent the last half hour or so watching this, the final interview of Grace Kelly, given by Pierre Salinger in June of 1982, which was less than two months prior to her tragic death in that fateful car accident on a mountain in Monaco..

I've always been far more taken with Grace's life AFTER she abandoned her career as an actress in the name of love. A fairytale come to fruition, to say the very least.

I have to agree with a commenter on the last video in the series when they say how they hate it as Pierre asks that fateful question; I know you're far too young to ask this but, how do you want to be remembered?
That stings, almost like a foreboding statement.

However, despite that, I enjoyed this immensely and find her demeanor and graciouness very refreshing with there being such a lack of it in today's public figures whether in politics or pictures.

Here are parts ONE:


TWO:


and THREE:


With the final three parts off to the left and either the first or second video in that list.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Favorite Scenes in Film; 5.

Its not too surprising, perhaps, that even current movies that I count among my favorites most often take place during my favorite time period, the 1940s and
50s.

Mona Lisa Smile (2004) is about four young women attending Wellesley College circa 1954 and they are on the high road that leads to success...as proper wives and mothers, that is. Julia Roberts portrays the bohemian art history teacher who is fresh out of LIBERAL California. This independent woman decends upon this conservative Massachusetts college town preaching an open minded, all encompassing approach to education and the alumni here fights against her 'subversive' ways tooth and nail.

However, though they prevailed at first, the attitudes of the stuffy high society brass and the hold which they once held on their offspring, give way to acceptance of new ideas and a realization that as young women just coming into their own, they do not need to depend on a husband for support or a sense of worth.

Here, in one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite films, Katharine strikes back with avengeance after a previous defeat against the young women in her class and their 'holier than thou' attitudes toward her, what they percieve as, inferior, education:

(skip to 1:55 for the alotted scene but, watch the beginning for the gratuitious Lucy reference!)




Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Yodel, Odel, Odelllllllllllllll...

I really enjoy some high quality yodeling, most often in the vein of one Dame Julie Andrews a la The Lonely Goatherd but, this little gem comes straight from Deutschland (or somewhere near there)showcasing a lovely little lady by the name of Maria Hellwig. Its really cute, enjoy! I did.



PS-Sorry I've been rather slack on the posts around here but, I'm dealing with computer malfunctions and then I'll be going on a three day weekend sans internet access but, I'm still reading your blogs and such as often as possible. :)

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

I Love Lucy- The Not-So-Overplayed Best;1.

As everyone who has visited here even only a time or two know, Lucille Ball is my FAVORITE actress & comedienne.

I've decided to periodically post my favorite Lucy moments however, I'll be highlighting the ones that are almost always overlooked. That means, if you're expecting Lucy's infamous foray into candy making or that strategically placed wick-in-putty nose, you are looking in the wrong place but, I promise they'll make you smile.

Probably.

Most likely.

Hopefully..


I'm kicking it off with Season 6 episode; Ragtime Band, and the scene is the gang's rendition of Man Smart, Woman Smarter.



PS- Has anyone else noticed how every time Keith Thibedeaux (Little Ricky) plays the drums, he sticks his little tounge out? How adorable is that, right?

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Uh..She Seems to be ENJOYING This!

Look at her face! She's all, "Ohhhh!"
If your wife looks like that when you're beating her, is it still considered beating?

Sorry I've been MIA for most of this week. Just read the post below as to why. I'm dealing and I'm laughing again so, I'll pull through.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Favorite Scenes from Film; 3.

I'm back. I'm upset and hurt right now. I don't want to get into it because nobody wants to hear depressing things from a stranger when we all have our own problems, right?

So, to cheer myself and perhaps, a few of you; I present the third of my favorite movie moments, brought back with a vengeance thanks to a little reminder over on FABULON .


A cute little number with some very swell dancing performed by three amazing entertainers; Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, and Gene Kelly; who coincidentally, had family members in my small town, I give you:

Good Mornin' from Singin' in the Rain (1952):



I'm smiling now and, I hope you are as well.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Picture Post: Vintage Vixens & Pretty Places.

Hi loves! I'm very busy as of late so, I'm sorry for the lack of interesting tidbits around these parts. I'm currently helping my best friend get through some tough times. However, I've been collecting some amazing imagery that has tickled my fancy & I wanted to share the beauty with you.
Enjoy.






Oh, how I adore this sparrow of France..








Grace Kelly, of course.


Kitty Carlisle of To Tell the Truth panel fame with husband playwright and director, Moss Hart .







Images collected from FABULON , If Charlie Parker... L O L I T A , Art Deco , and other places I can't recall.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Mid-Century Covet.

Look at this little beauty via From the Desk of Mrs. Gorman ! Ohhh, my heart yearns..
I honestly think that, if I were in possession of such a lovely writing tool, I would be inspired to do much, MUCH more than I do now..

Speaking of writing, perhaps I'll start posting some here in the future.
Its a thought..

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Lovely Lana.

I am not a fan of Ms. Turner's acting. I am, however, a fan of all things lovely. Hence the posting of these breathtaking photos.

via.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Avedon.

50s elegance.
via Fabulon

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

My Favorite Famous Couples; Dedication 1.

There have been so many remarkable couples spanning the last century who have left their imprint on the hearts and minds of all who were aware of their exsistence. This is the first post in a series dedicated to those who have inspired me the most.

Lucille Desiree Ball & Desiderio Alberto Arnaz e de Acha III.


via 4EverDarling

Lucy & Desi became legends of their own time with the premiere of the first and perhaps, best loved television sitcom of the 20th century, I Love Lucy , on October 15, 1951. Unbeknownst to them, the long shot endeavour that was birthed in order to allow these two love birds to work together as opposed to being perpetually seperated by their careers [and also, by teaming up for this project, taming Desi's notorious womanizing nature], they had unleashed a legacy of laughter and unending enjoyment among the American and, a few years into production, the international audience that has carried on into the present day with I Love Lucy still being aired through syndication not only here in the U.S. but in over 80 nations worldwide, including Britain, Central America, Germany, and Japan.



Besides their television shows, Lucy & Desi owned their own studio, which they christened Desilu , and that company produced and housed the production sites of such popular 50s and 60s television favorites as The Andy Griffith Show , Our Miss Brooks , and even, due to Lucy's own good sense, Mission: Impossible and Star Trek .





I Love Lucy itself ceased production in 1957 but the beloved characters; Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel expanded in the continuation of ten years of escapades with The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour , which allowed for 13 hour long segments which expanded their popularity by another two years with this show coming to an end in 1960, the same year that the Arnazes 19 year union dissolved.







Despite the fact that Lucy and Desi could not live together forever in wedded bliss, they were famously in love with one anopther and it is widely acknowledged that, regardless of the fact that both remarried; Lucy to a mediocre stand-up comedian, Gary Morton and Desi to yet another redhead, Edith Mack Hirsch; they never ceased in loving one another very deeply and they remained extremely close until Desi's death in 1986 from lung cancer and Lucy followed suit barely two years later, a week following a seemingly successful heart surgery when her aorta ruptured in the early morning hours of April 26, 1989.









And so, a decades long love affair ceased to be on that date; April 26, 1989; with Lucille Ball's death, because Lucy remained faithful to Desi's memory for the rest of her life, despite their many ups and downs.

The world and the entertainment industry owe a lot to these tireless pioneers of the craft, what with Desi's many innovative ideas in television production, including the three camera filming method which is still in use today on many, if not all, of your current favorites; and Lucy's comedic genius and eye for the type of entertainment that would have staying power when she approved the making of Star Trek and Mission: Impossible.

These two remarkable human beings are remembered by the vox populi today with respect, reverence, and love and appreciation for the sacrifices that they endured in their personal lives to bring us, their adoring public, such everlasting joy and happiness which, as long as their are individuals like myself and the many other lovely people I have connected with as a result of my own devotion and historian-like tendencies.

I leave you with a heartfelt observation, simple but obviously impeccably true, that Desi made many years after the heyday of himself and his legendary former spouse, in an interview:

I Love Lucy was never just a title.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

When Legends Gather, Indeed!

I thought this image was incredible.
Nat King Cole and Ol' Blue Eyes at the piano.

via

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

John Rawlings Photography.

These are divine:







Mr. Rawlings is the author of many of my favorite photographic images of this era.
Alongside the likes of Cecil Beaton.

Who is your favorite photographer? What is their subjext area? What is it about their work that draws you to them?

First photo via
All others louie_gee_gee
Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Princess Grace of Monaco.

Before the "Princess" thing came into play, if I'm not mistaken..

There's another at Fabulon .

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista.

For the 'Chubby Little Lass' in your life..

Back to school ad, circa 1950s.
via

Chubbettes? Sort of condescending, in my opinion. Hey, it was the 50s. Haha.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Vintage Vogue!

If I'm not mistaken, the first one is from August, 1952:


Second from November, 194?:


I love them not only for the impeccable clothing but, the fonts alone, especially on the first one, are terribly charming, don't you think?

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Homework.

Keely Smith, Dinah Shore, and Edie Adams in an ode to the sterotypical 50s housewife:


via

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Teddy Girls, a forgotten subculture.

As I was going through my reader this morning, I happened across this post at Behind the Curtain. I was so surprised because, this is the first time I've ever heard anything about teddy girls. I'm not one to toot my own horn but, I'm pretty knowledgeable about life and society in the 1940s-50's. It may be due to the fact that this movement seemed to be focused in and around London for the most part and I tend to go for Americana.

Anyway, I was intrigued and decided to dig around a bit. Its true, not much is known about the typical teddy girl. As far as I can tell, they were considered rather dense and frivolous in their time. Oh, how stereotypes do prevail! There was no set wardrobe but, pencil skirts and pointed shoes known as "winkle pickers" were all the rage as seen here:



Winkle Pickers


The above article is just about the only thing I came across that had any somewhat detailed information on what this lifestyle entailed. Their male counterparts, known as teddy boys should give us the jist of what these kids stood for.

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista

Milord.

Hi!

My brother is out of school for the summer so, that means Krista gets less time on the Internet because..
OMFG, ITS 7:00 AM AND I'VE BEEN OFF XBOX LIVE FOR FOUR WHOLE HOURS!!!!!


So, hence the lack of posts today.


I have the goods now though!

Please, sit back and unwind from your day with the help of one french pixie named Edith Piaf.
I can bet you can recall what is probably her most widely popular song, La Vie en Rose which was prominently featured and sung by Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina , [1954] [lovely movie, by the way.] This is Edith performing Milord, which I believe is my favorite song on the repertoire of this lovely mademoiselle, on Ed Sullivan. Mmmm, like buttah:



So, do any of you have a favorite international singer? Is there an artist out there who is quite loved in his or her own country but, we don't have the pleasure of being aqquainted with in the U.S.A.?
Please, do enlighten me with musical greatness in the comments!

Sunny Side Up!,
Krista